Job Title
Prisoner Custody Officer - Norwich Law courts (Vans)
Permanent roles offering job stability and security. Working as a Prisoner Escort Custody Driver (PCO) in Prisoner Escort Custody Services (PECS) is a professional role that contributes to safety and security in the justice system. We offer a rewarding career with the following benefits:
* Salary of £26,745 (40 hrs pw). Training salary is £23,402 (35 hrs pw).
* Annual salary increments: Year 2 - £27,411; Year 3 - £27,927; Year 4 - £28,446.
* Additional driving allowance for Category B1/C1 License holders:
o B1 = £600 per year
o C1 = £2,400 per year. (C1 License holders must drive 6 cell vehicles - subject to further terms).
* A potential first-year income between £32,345 and £34,145 (depending on license type and overtime, based on a current average of 8 hrs overtime per week).
* Pension (matched up to 6%), life insurance, 20 days annual leave (rising to 25 after 7 years) plus Bank Holidays.
* Discounts on Merlin Attractions, mobile phones, cinema, leisure, retail, and hospitality.
* Health and wellbeing support: Employee Assistance Programme, MIND, Simply Health Care, and Dental Plans.
* A supportive team and culture committed to diversity and inclusion.
We are operational 24/6, and you'll be expected to cover various early and late shifts, with a minimum of 40 hours per week. Flexibility is essential due to the nature of the role, which involves a wide range of working arrangements and additional hours. Rota is provided 12 weeks in advance to help you plan ahead. This system allows you to enjoy meaningful time off while accommodating long and unpredictable hours.
About the Role
As a PCO at our base, you'll work as part of a crew to provide safe and secure court transportation and custody services. You'll collect adult male and female detainees between prisons, police stations and courts, always ensuring their well-being. Depending on operational requirements, you may be required to remain at court to care for the detainee until they return to custody or are released. Duties include accompanying defendants in courtrooms and cells, searching property and people, ensuring food and drink are available, and completing paperwork and data entry.
Key Responsibilities
* Start the day early, attend briefings to receive assignments, including details on prisoners, pick-up and drop-off locations, and specific risks.
* Check handheld devices for schedules and prisoner information. Complete vehicle checks.
* Collect prisoners from various locations, verify paperwork and property, search prisoners, and load them onto the vehicle.
* Monitor prisoners' welfare during transport, conduct cell checks, and provide water if needed. Arrange comfort stops for long journeys.
* Transport prisoners to courts and handle inter-prison transfers for reasons such as bed space management or educational needs.
* Return to the vehicle base, perform end-of-use checks, report defects, and hand in documentation.
* Work beyond contracted hours due to job demands, sometimes exceeding 50 hours a week. Stay with prisoners admitted to hospitals and handle emergency transfers during incidents like prison riots.
What You Need to Do the Job
Our current PCOs come from diverse work and life experiences. What you have done before matters less than your commitment to making a difference. You will learn during a 5 1/2-week training course and through our experienced colleagues. You’ll need to hold a current driver’s licence, B1 or C1 Licence (valid CPC card desirable). This role may suit those with an interest in criminology or psychology. Required skills and abilities:
* Ability to understand and respond to the emotional needs of detainees.
* Capability to handle stressful and emotionally demanding situations with composure.
* Ability to think on your feet and make quick, effective decisions in challenging situations.
* Strong ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure safety and well-being of detainees.
* Meticulous in following protocols, conducting searches, and completing paperwork accurately.
* Adequate physical fitness to perform duties that may involve restraining detainees and long hours.
* Skilled in de-escalating conflicts and managing challenging behaviour effectively.
* High ethical standards and a commitment to confidentiality and professionalism, with sensitivity to diverse backgrounds and needs of detainees.
Our Assessment Process
Briefing call to assess eligibility; competency-based virtual interview; short role-play and written exercise.
Additional Information
All roles are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and all offers of employment are subject to Ministry of Justice Enhanced Level 2 checks with Enhanced DBS (Adult & Child Barring) and satisfactory employment references.
This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current UK Home Office rules. Applicants who already have a valid right to work in the UK through other routes must meet the minimum eligibility criteria, including:
* Have at least two years remaining on your current visa.
* Have lived in the UK for at least one year, as vetting requires a counter-signatory from a recognised professional who has known you for that duration.
For general right-to-work guidance, please visit the UK Home Office website.
#PECS
About Serco
At Serco, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing public services. We are a team of 50,000 delivering essential public services worldwide in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and offer employee networks to support belonging.
Apply
Please click the apply button to complete your application. We encourage prompt applications as closing dates may move. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation and will make reasonable adjustments at interview and beyond. We welcome flexible working arrangements where possible. We are Disability Confident leaders and hold the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants meeting the minimum criteria will be invited to interview. For help with your application, please contact jicareersUK@serco.com.
Serco supports fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the Ban the Box pledge; some roles may be exempt due to security clearance requirements. Please contact our recruitment team to discuss.
#J-18808-Ljbffr